In 1987, the artists of Pangnirtung established the Uqqurmiut Inuit Artists
Association to assist in the creation and marketing of their arts and crafts.
From the moment when the Uqqurmiut (the people of the leeside) first opened the doors
of their new Craft Gallery in 1991, the Uqqurmiut Centre
for Arts & Crafts immediately became the primary vehicle for the Inuit artisans of Pangnirtung
to exhibit and market their arts and crafts offerings.

Each item sold through the Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts & Crafts carries the unique
“Three Ptarmigans” tag, your guarantee that your purchase is an authentic and
genuine hand-made craft from the Arctic Circle, created by an Inuit artist from
the community of Pangnirtung, Baffin Island, within the new Canadian Territory
of Nunavut (Our Land).
Visitors are always very welcome, both to the Centre itself and to this website.

There are many mail-order catalogues and many e-commerce websites, but we feel
ours are unique. What makes us special is that “we make what we sell.” Our
crafts are made right in the community of Pangnirtung. As well, because the
Uqqurmiut have ownership and control of the Centre for Arts & Crafts in
Pangnirtung, we are able to benefit directly. The company which has put together
this website to tell you about Pangnirtung’s fine arts and fine crafts is
controlled by the artists themselves – the Uqqurmiut Inuit Artists Association.

Buying from us is like buying directly from an Inuit artist. This has advantages
for everyone. For you, our valued customer, there is the opportunity to deal
directly with Inuit artists whose work often is “discovered” only by those who
are able to visit the Arctic. For us, the advantage is getting to know you
directly, to learn about who buys our arts and crafts, and why, and about how we
can be more successful in the future.

If there is something you’re looking for that you can’t find here on our
website, drop us a line (e-mail us) and let us know – perhaps we can help you
locate its source. Please note that we can also fulfill special orders. So
please send us your comments, craft ideas and suggestions – and, of course, your
orders for Pangnirtung arts and crafts!